Bishop hopes for pressure on Russia

FOREIGN minister Julie Bishop has urged those with influence over Russia to pressure Moscow over its actions in Ukraine.

Ms Bishop said on Thursday night while Australia had been involved in debates with the United Nations security council on Russia's occupation in Ukraine, there was a limit to what Australia could do alone.

"So we are working with our friends and allies and others who have taken exception to Russia's aggression in breaching Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," she said.

"And hope that with pressure from those who have influence over Russia we will see Ukraine's integrity restored and its integrity no longer breached," she said.

Speaking outside The Sydney Institute on Thursday night, Ms Bishop said it lay in Russia's hands to ease the tensions in Ukraine.

Ukraine's new West-leaning government has accused Russia of staging a de facto invasion by deploying troops to the Crimean peninsula.

Russian forces are also positioned along Ukraine's eastern borders on the pretext of protecting ethnic Russians there, following the uprising against fugitive former president Viktor Yanukovych.

The Australian government has also allowed Ukrainian visitors to stay in Australia under special visa provisions while the situation in their country remained volatile.

Ukrainians on a visa due to expire and who might be affected by the unrest can apply to have their stay extended.